Categories: Fitness

Cardio Workout Ideas You Can Easily Do At Home

With crazy schedules, work, homework or families working out tends to be on the last spot in our priority list. Yet we should try to take some time to do it since it’s not only beneficial for our mental and body health care, but it also helps us relax and relieve stress. That’s why today we bring you some cardio workout exercise ideas you can learn and add as part of your routine to burn calories faster, get fit o just stay healthier. Cardio workouts mean that you are doing a rhythmic activity that will raise your heart rate into your target heart rate zone. That doesn’t mean you should do long cardio routines, you could as easily as dedicate from ten to fifteen minutes of a cardio workout every day to stay in shape.

Besides that there are lots of benefits involving cardio workouts, including that your heart will become stronger since it doesn’t have to work that hard to pump blood, you will increase your lung capacity, you will reduce risks of heart attack, high cholesterol or diabetes and it will help you with sleeping better. Definitely, there are more pros than cons when it comes to involving yourself in cardio workouts! Try to find a cardio exercise that works better for you and makes your body feel good, for example if you go running and you feel like you want to die every time, try something different like spinning.

Don’t stick with a cardio activity just because someone else likes it or if it doesn’t make you feel good. Exercise should be enjoyed not a huge pain! If you have no idea where to start and really no time to subscribe yourself to a gym plan, you could as easily create your own routine with some of our favorite cardio exercises that you can make from the comfort of your own room with barely no equipment needed!

1. Burpees

The burpees are a type of cardio exercise you can do anywhere where you have enough space to jump and plank. It basically consists of a four-point move where you start standing up, then drop into a squat with your hands on the ground in front of your feet, proceed to kick your feet back and extend your arms so you get in plank position, reverse the move until you are standing up again and jump. You can repeat this exercise at least 20 times on a routine or make as much as you can in a time like 30 seconds to one minute. If you want a bigger challenge add a press-up while you are in plank, but if you are a beginner we recommend sticking to the classic exercise.

2. Jumping Jacks

Another great exercise to add to your cardio workout is jumping jacks, that will also help you warming up and rising your heart rate. You can do this type of exercise right when you get out of bed because they are super easy. Basically, jumping jacks consist of a jump in which from a standing position with your legs and arms straight at your side you jump up and spread your feet beyond hip-width apart while your arms go above your head nearly touching, then jump again and return the initial position standing up straight. You can repeat this exercise as many times as you desire or place a timer and see how many you can do at that time. You could also modify the jumping jacks by adding a squat jump or making a rotational jack.

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3. High-Knees

The high-knee exercise is excellent for warming up or to increase your heart rate if you do it at a strong, fast movement. You can compare this exercise to running fast but elevating your knees as high as they can go. To make the high knees you should start in a standing position with your arms at your sides or you could swing them up and down at the same time as your knees, then lift one knee up to your chest switching it to your other knee in the same movement. Continue the exercise alternating legs and moving at a sprinting or running pace. Is better to do this exercise with a timer so you repeat it for a constant amount of time.

4. Mountain Climbers

If you have never heard of this cardio exercise before, don’t worry, you won’t need to go outside to make it. To start making mountain climbers you should start by getting into plank position, then pull one knee into your chest as far as you can, switch by pulling that knee out and bringing the other in, just as if you were really climbing a rocky mountain. Alternate inhaling and exhaling with each leg change, also be sure you are in the correct plank position with your hips down and your weight evenly distributes to avoid an injury. Repeat this exercise for a specific amount of time or make at least 20 repetitions of it with each leg for a good cardio workout that makes your heart race. You can use a yoga mat or towel under your body if you want to!

5. Heisman

The Heisman is also known as lateral jump works as a cardio exercise and its super easy to make. To make this exercise be sure you have at least done one of the movements mentioned before or a quick jog in place for more than 30 seconds. Start in a standing position with your feet together and your knees slightly bend or flexible. Jump or step to the right side while pulling your left knee up to your chest, then repeat but changing your feet and jumping to the other side. Increase the speed of the movement according to your physical abilities, don’t force yourself to something that doesn’t feel okay for you. Repeat the exercise for at least 20 times on each side or place a timer with at least 30 seconds to constantly repeat the movement.

Now you have no excuse to avoid a short cardio workout at your own home! Let us know in the comments if you are or not a fan of cardio workouts!

Featured Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/wy_L8W0zcpI
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Sophie Jiménez

Hi! I'm a fashion designer based on San José, Costa Rica who breaths art in all its ways; writing, reading, painting, dancing, music... and its super passionate about them all! I also adore learning something new everyday and getting to know new people. If you have any doubt, don't be shy and ask me!

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